Aglaonema plant named `Peacock`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema named `Peacock` particularly characterized by its mostly upright and somewhat outwardly arching plant habit; upper mature leaf surfaces that are mottled silver green with random dark green spots with yellow-green midrib giving a tricolor appearance; leaf shape that is oblong and narrow with recurved apex; light green to white petioles with occasional green spots and streaks; excellent tolerance to low temperatures; and resistance to diseases common to Aglaonema.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofAglaonema plant, botanically known as Aglaomena hybrid, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name `Peacock`.

The new Aglaonema is a product of a planned breeding program conductedby the Inventors in Valkaria, Fla. The objective of the breeding programwas to develop new Aglaonemas with unique and interesting leaf patternsthat readily produced divisions. The new Aglaonema originated from across made by the Inventors of the Aglaonema marantifolium cv.`Tricolor` (not patented) as the male, or pollen, parent with theAglaonema commutatum var. picturatum cv. `Echo` (not patented) as thefemale, or seed, parent. The cultivar `Peacock` was discovered andselected by the Inventors in March, 1987 as a seedling within theprogeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Valkaria,Fla.

Plants of the new Aglaonema differ from plants of the male parent, thecultivar `Tricolor`, in leaf color, leaf pattern, midrib color andpetiole color. Plants of the new Aglaonema differ from plants of thefemale parent, the cultivar `Echo` in leaf shape, leaf size, leaf color,leaf pattern, petiole color, plant form and tolerance to lowtemperatures.

Asexual propagation of the new cultivar by divisions at Valkaria andZolfo Springs, Fla. has shown that the unique features of this newAglaonema plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Aglaonema has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, fertilizer rate,and/or irrigation amount and frequency without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Peacock`. These characteristics incombination distinguish `Peacock` as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Plants of the new Aglaonema are mostly upright and somewhat outwardlyarching in plant habit.

2. Plants of the new Aglaonema typically grow to about 1 meter inheight.

3. Plants of the new Aglaonema readily produce divisions.

4. The upper surfaces of mature leaves of plants of the new Aglaonemaare mottled silver green with random dark green spots with yellow-greenmidrib giving a tricolor appearance.

5. The leaves of the new Aglaonema are oblong and narrow with recurvedapex.

6. Leaves of plants of the new Aglaonema have light green to whitepetioles with occasional green spots and streaks.

7. Plants of the new Aglaonema are very tolerant of low temperatures,that is, ambient temperatures of about 2° C. do not cause foliar damage.

8. Plants of the new Aglaonema are resistant to diseases common toAglaonema.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a side perspective viewof a typical plant of `Peacock` in a 35-cm container.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a close-up view ofthe upper and lower surfaces of mature leaves. Leaf colors in thephotographs may appear different from the actual colors due to lightreflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Zolfo Springs, Fla. under a polypropylene-covered shadehouseand conditions which closely approximate those used in horticulturalpractice. Plants were grown under day temperatures ranging from 21 to38° C. and night temperatures ranging from 7 to 21° C. The polypropyleneshade provided a 84 percent decrease in ambient light level. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Aglaonema hybrid cultivar `Peacock`.

Parentage:

Male, or pollen, parent.--Aglaonema marantifolium cultivar `Tricolor`.

Female, or seed, parent.--Aglaonema commutatum var. picturatum cultivar`Echo`.

Propagation:

Type.--By division and by cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--About 24 and 42 days at 30 and 20° C.,respectively.

Time to develop roots.--About 30 and 60 days at 30 and 20° C.,respectively.

Rooting habit.--Branching fleshy and fibrous roots.

Plant description:

Plant shape.--Mostly upright and somewhat outwardly arching.

Growth habit.--Erect when young, becoming outwardly arching. Appropriatefor 25.5-cm and larger containers. Plants readily produce divisions.

Plant size.--Height, soil surface to top of leaf canopy: About 72 cm.Width: About 72 cm.

Plant vigor.--Moderate to vigorous.

Stem description.--Diameter at soil surface: About 2.75 cm. Internodelength: About 1.75 cm. Color, mature: Light yellowish green.

Foliage description.--Shape: Oblong, narrow. Length, fully expanded:About 32.5 cm. Width, fully expanded: About 11.5 cm. Margin: Entire.Apex: Acuminate, recurved. Base: Obtuse to slightly cordate. Aspect:Mostly flat, undulate. Texture: Leathery, smooth, glabrous, some glosson both surfaces. Color: Young, upper surface: Background: Light green,close to 147C/138B. Green spots/streaks; Greener than 143A and darkerthan 144A. White and yellow spots: Near to midvein, 154D to 145D to155D. Midvein: Yellowish to whitish green, 154A to 154D, 145C, and 145D.Young, lower suface: Background: Close to 146B. Lateral veins: Whitishgreen, close to 145D. Midvein: 147C, 146D, and 147D. Mature, uppersurface: Background: Mottled silver green, 189A, 189B, and 191A. Darkgreen spots: Darker than 147A. Green spots: Darker than 146A. White andlight green spots/streaks: 145D to 155D. Midvein: Mostly yellowish greenspots, 154A, to 154D. Mature, lower surface: Background: Close to143A/144A. Lateral veins: Whitish green, 145D. Midvein: Whitish green,145D, to white, 155D. Petiole length, primary shoot: About 28 cm.Petiole diameter at apex: About 6 mm. Petiole diameter at base: About2.1 cm. Petiole wing: Apparent on lower 35 percent of mature leafpetiole, about 10 cm in length and about 5 mm in width. Petiole color:Whitish green, 145D, to white, 155D, with green, 143A to 144A spots andstreaks.

Inflorescence.--Typical of Aglaonema, no commerical significance.

Disease tolerance: Plants of the new Aglaonema are resistant to diseasescommon to Aglaonema.

Low temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Aglaonema are very tolerantof low temperatures, that is, ambient temperatures of about 2° C. do notcause foliar damage.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema plant named`Peacock`, as illustrated and described.